Central Arizona Jeepers is a fun-loving, family-friendly group of Jeep enthusiasts who live by one simple rule: “No one gets left on the trail.”
During the planning and research phase of my 13 state – 2 country – 11 month trip, I reached out to my friend Jerry (one of the founding four members of The Jeep Mafia) who lives in Arizona. I figured I’d ask him about his favorite Jeep club or group in the state. Without hesitating, he pointed me towards the Central Arizona Jeepers.
Jerry went a step further and graciously connected me with the Director of the Central Arizona Jeepers, Cheri Baumgartner.
Director of the Central Arizona Jeepers, Cheri Baumgartner.Oh yeah, about my trip this year…
As my regular readers know, I’m currently on my “Western Mountain Loop” trip in 2018.
Follow my epic Jeep adventure this year!Central Arizona Jeepers: How To Find Them
Anyhow, back to the story…
When you see this logo you know you’ve found the Central Arizona Jeepers!Cheri was super sweet and laid-back. I knew this was going to be a fun interview.
When I asked her to tell me about the Central Arizona Jeepers in a nutshell, she simply said, “We 4×4, we chat, we eat, we share stories, we explore new areas and trails…and basically we have fun!”
Well that’s what all Jeep clubs should be about, right? Check this out…
On the trails in Arizona with the Central Arizona Jeepers Jeep Club
The beauty of the area that the Central Arizona Jeepers get to play in every day is incredible.
Running trails through beautiful country is just part of everyday life at Central Arizona JeepersArizona is an amazing place to wheel. So if you live in the area and haven’t connected with the Central Arizona Jeepers, I suggest you do so right now on their Facebook page. That’s the hub of their activity.
But first, their story…
Central Arizona Jeepers: Origins
When you see a convoy of Jeeps heading through Arizona, there is a good chance you are chancing upon the Central Arizona JeepersThe Central Arizona Jeepers was founded back in 2006 by Jack Hammitt. It started off, like most Jeep clubs, as a handful of friends that shared a similar passion for Jeeps.
What made them unique though wasn’t the passion for Jeeps, but the amazing backyard they had at their home base in Central Arizona.
You see, Central Arizona Jeepers is based out of Prescott, Arizona, about 90 miles north of Phoenix and 80 miles south of Flagstaff at the base of the Bradshaw Mountains.
Just take a look at the backyard that the Central Arizona Jeepers have to play with!You seriously couldn’t ask for a nicer playground. Less than an hour and a half from Sedona? Yes, please.
Already sitting at 5500 feet of elevation, just about anywhere surrounding them is Jeep country.
At the time Cheri joined the club, her and her husband were Jeep newbies. They, like most newbies who join, just wanted to learn more about their Jeep and what it was actually capable of. It was a brand new world to them.
Dan and Cheri were brand new to Jeeping when they started with the Central Arizona JeepersThey didn’t know what to expect when they attended their first meet up. Their hopes were just to have some questions answered. What they did not expect was to have their lives changed due to the kindness and camaraderie that they were met with.
Cheri recalls that the initial conversations and meet ups weren’t awkward at all. Instead, everyone welcomed them as if they were already life-long friends or family. This was something that really impacted them and left them wanting more. Isn’t that how all Jeep meet ups should be?
Well needless to say, Cheri and her husband became active members of the Central Arizona Jeepers. At the time I’m sure Cheri had no idea that in a couple of years she’d be the Director of the club.
Central Arizona Jeepers: Leadership Shift, Core Values Remain
The Central Arizona Jeepers out wheeling.It happened to pass that founder Jack Hammitt retired from the club during 2007/2008 and basically handed over the “keys” to the club to Cheri and wished her luck.
For over a decade now, Cheri and her team at Central Arizona Jeepers have been coming up with new and fun ways to get Jeepers in Arizona together for good times.
Today, the Central Arizona Jeepers club has over 1300 members. Still following the one simple rule of “No one gets left on the trail.”
True to Cheri’s description of the club, they are all about wheeling, hanging out, sharing stories, and having fun.
One thing that hasn’t changed, since the club’s inception at the hands of Jack Hammitt, is that you’ll never feel awkward at your first meet up. Instead you’ll be welcomed like family.
Personally, I’m hoping to connect with some of these Jeepers myself next week when I get into the Grand Canyon State.
Central Arizona Jeepers: Purpose
The Central Arizona Jeepers tend to leave a lasting impression on those they connect with.
Making life-long friends is easy at Central Arizona JeepersThey have people from all over the world who keep in touch with them. Because their backyard (yes you should be a little jealous) is so perfect for Jeeping, everyone who travels to, or through, the area wants to connect with them. From “snowbirds” who travel between Arizona to their 2nd state of residence to visitors from across the globe, all Jeepers are welcomed by this group.
Speaking of snowbirds, yes, Arizona gets snow. As such the time of year impacts the level of activity of the group as a whole. But typically you can expect anywhere from 15-30 Jeeps at any given organized event. Some of their events have even pushed close to 60 Jeeps on a single trail!
So that is what the underside of a Jeep looks like folks. It’ll buff out. Nobody was hurt and true to their motto. “No one gets left on the trail.”The Central Arizona Jeepers organize one to two trail runs per month ranging from easy and scenic to challenging “let’s see if we can snap an axle today.” But don’t worry, remember, no one gets left on the trail.
Central Arizona Jeepers: Charitable Causes
In addition to trail runs, the Central Arizona Jeepers also have a charitable aspect to them.
This year they are working with the Phoenix Children’s Hospital for a Christmas toy drive. They toys are kept in a secure area and parents will be able to sneak away and pick out toys for their children leaving one less thing for them to worry about this year. All excess toys are kept year-round for families to be blessed when they have family members who are going through a rough patch, or simply need a smile. There is no cost to the families that take advantage of this program.
Charitable causes are important to the Central Arizona Jeepers. The loss of 19 Hotshots in 2013 hit the community hard. Central Arizona Jeepers decided to do something to help the families.Cheri told me of a time back in 2013 when Arizona lost 19 of their Hotshots in a forest fire near Yarnell, AZ. So, in conjunction with Discount Tire, and The 100 Club, the Central Arizona Jeepers decided to hold a fundraising carwash to collect donations for the families of those affected. The event was a huge success. Beyond the water fights and much needed joy during that difficult time, these groups were able to make a significant impact for those in immediate need.
Beyond that, the Central Arizona Jeepers are also active in cleaning up the desert and forest floor. They work in conjunction with the Bureau of Land Management to keep the Arizona lands and trails clean and beautiful.
Sounds like a pretty cool bunch of Jeepers to me.
Central Arizona Jeepers: Membership
There are no dues or fees for membership in the Central Arizona Jeepers, but there are a few requirements.
- You must drive a mechanically sound Jeep
- Have a good sense of humor and a great sense of adventure
- Be family friendly. Families are encouraged to join as a group
- It is definitely appropriate to bring your fur babies (dogs). They love them at Central Arizona Jeepers
Oh and regarding the fur babies, “Dogs must have their owners on a leash at all times.”
As far as the naughty-list, meaning what can get you booted from the club?
Well going off of a trail onto an undesignated, or unmarked trail, will get you booted pretty quick.
The Central Arizona Jeepers spend a lot of time taking care of the trails. They also spend time nurturing the relationship with the professionals who do it full time. So off-trail driving is a BIG no-no.
Also keep the language clean at the meet ups, remember the family friendly atmosphere of the club. Respect those two rules and you should be golden!
Central Arizona Jeepers: Summary
If I had to summarize the Central Arizona Jeepers into one sentence, it would be: A welcoming family-friendly group of Jeepers who treat you like family, like to have fun, and take care of their environment and community.
If you are in Central Arizona, or maybe you’re just passing through, get to know these folks. Get involved. You might just find your new Jeep family.
Until next time, keep it dirty and wheels side down.
~ Eric
Great write up about an awesome Jeep Club !! So glad to have found them
Check
Thank you for the introduction Check! Glad you get to wheel with them regularly. ~ Eric
Do you have a for sale board? I have 2015 Sema Willys jeep for sale with 4,,000 miles. Never been off the highway!
Charlie @ 520 227 6011.
Sierra vista Az.
We do not have a for sale board Charlie. Sounds like a nice rig though! ~ Eric
Hello,
I live in AZ but not in the Prescott area (Lake Havasu). I am considering joining (especially for summer runs)
Can you advise me how to do that? Been wheelin’ since 2006.
Also, had a question. Do you ever so any over niters?
So sorry for the late reply, I’ve literally been Jeeping off the grid for months, but I’m back! Hey Craig. Did you connect with them yet? If not, hit up their Facebook page and message them. I linked it in the article. ~ Eric
We have just bought our Jeep Rubicon and are Arizona Snow Birds out in Brenda. We think we would like to join our organization to use our Jeep for fun. BUT since we live full time in our Motor-home (12 years) we have only our Jeep for all of our general transportation so we can’t go radical. Are there pleasure rides that uses the Jeeps potential without going to the edge?
Hi Jim, Mary Ann, and Toby: So sorry for the late reply, I’ve literally been Jeeping off the grid for months, but I’m back! So please note, this club is not my organization. I’d suggest you go though my article and click on the link to the club’s Facebook group. Then ask them. I’m sure they do get togethers frequently that aren’t “lets see how much stuff we can break” kind of meetups. ~ Eric
Hello,
I live Dewey and just got a new 2 door Rubicon Recon. I wood love to find out how to become a member.
If you get some time, please let me know what I need to do to join.
Thanks!
Hey Scott! In my article I linked the group’s Facebook page. Go ahead and visit that link and then message them and tell them you are interested in joining! ~ Eric
Hello, we are excited to join your Jeep group, I have lots of experience off reading and we are looking for a Jeep. What model do you recommend, definitely a Jeep brand, I do not know what model and year. Please give me some advice please. Thank you
Hi David, this isn’t my Jeep club. I just wrote an article about them because I connected with a few of them on my travels. But you should be able to contact them using the information I provided in my article. As far as the Jeep, go with a Wrangler. 2 or 4 door is up to your needs and trim level will depend on what you plan to do with it. Can’t really offer more advice without knowing more particulars and your budget.
Thank you so much for contacting me, we are looking at the two door Jeep V6 manual transmission and plan to be purchasing one in the next couple weeks. We are excited to go off-roading as I was born and raised offloading both hiking camping and really look forward to get back to it. How do I get a hold of the management so we can find out when the next trip is and things like that. I sure appreciate your help
David just visit their Facebook page and request to join! https://www.facebook.com/CentralArizonaJeepers/ All the best and stay safe on the trails. ~ Eric
Hi! Jen here, looking for others who enjoy the freedom of the big wide open. In looking at various groups, most are all men. I’d like to get out in my Jeep, make some friend and learn a bit more about the off road rules of the road. A coed group sounds perfect.
Iam the President and founder of the High Country Renegades a rock crawling club in Payson Arizona,iam 72 years old this year and after 20 long years of organizing runs and opening trails with forestry and the ohvc i have come to the point where i just want to be a regular club member and lead a trip once in awhile and not every single time i started out with my wife Donna 22 years ago building my own rig to get me out of trouble when i needed too and it has served me well my passion is exploring and finding old gold mines and cowboy cabins My Strong beliefs are leave it like you found it i have been exploring the mountains around the Payson area now for some 25 to 30 years these mountains are my own backyard your club and the family orientation is appealing to me
I live in Cave Creek AZ Where and when do you meet? I am interested
We actually travel fulltime. But we highly suggest you reach out to Central Arizona Jeepers with the contact information provided in this article. Great group of folks!
Looks like fun
I am a new Jeep owner….wondering if my Jeep qualifies. I have a 2019 Jeep Cherokee 4×4. I have been doing dirt road exploring on my own but I am interested in joining a group
I’m sure they’d love to have you Debra! Use the contact information in the article to get a hold of the Central Arizona Jeepers!
Hi we live in florence checking out clubs we are newbies just purchased a 2013 Rubicon haven’t done any sightseeing or offloading with jeep yet but did the box .canyon w a pickup what a trip I’m hooked also like to do what. We can to keep our desert clean and fun thanks for info
Happy to provide it Jim and Mickey! Hope you are able to connect with the Central Arizona Jeepers! ~ Eric
I would love to join your group
We’d Love to take in any new Jeepers! You can find us on facebook.
Central Arizona Jeepers. Still active, alive and kicking. Many community events coming up!
~ Cheri
We’d Love to take in any new Jeepers! You can find us on facebook.
Central Arizona Jeepers. Still active, alive and kicking. Many community events coming up!
~ Cheri
I want to rv camp with other jeep enthusiasts. We want to explore az in November and December.
hello I was looking into what clubs are around nothing extreme just want to enjoy the out doors.
Your club sounds nice but, i drive an toyota fj and ram powerwagon, am i still welcom, thx. Matt in paulden
2017 we, retired folks in good shape, bought a mild Jeep Compass. Wonder if we qualify to follow you big guys in a simple off-road experience…
Hello I am a new jeep owner and I am very interested in joining the group. I’ve tried the link on Facebook but it is not working. 🙁
Hi Tammy, thanks for the comment. This article was originally published on March 27, 2018. I’m not sure if the Central Arizona Jeepers group is still active. It was a great group as of the time of my article here. Here is a direct link to their website though! https://cazjeepers.wordpress.com/ And welcome to the Jeep life! All the best, ~ Eric